Archive for July 2007

When the Queen Mary first launched on September 26, 1934 it was considered to be the ship of the future. Weighing in at an impressive 81,237 tons it was larger than the Titanic and faster than any ship made previously. The maiden voyage set sail on May 27, 1936 and to all accounts was a major event.

John Brown and Company out of Scotland built the Queen Mary to be a weekly express from Southampton England to New York to be one of the fastest ships on the ocean at that time. It certainly held up to that name as it did indeed garner the record for the fastest North Atlantic crossing in 1937. For 3 years she traveled back and forth bringing the rich and elite across the Atlantic in luxury and style. In 1939 she was on a trip when World War II started and was ordered to become a troopship to carry soldiers from Australia and New Zealand to the United Kingdom.

After the war had completed, and Queen Mary narrowly escaped being sunk by the orders of Adolf Hitler and his U boats, the Queen Mary was used as a transatlantic passenger trade until 1958. Then the jets were starting to fly and it seemed that people wanted quicker ways to get across the Atlantic Ocean. Finally in 1966 it was put up for sale and bought by H.E. Ridings of Long Beach California where it still resides today.

Today, Queen Mary is on the National Register of Historic places and serves as a hotel, entertainment venue, and a museum. It is an extremely popular tourist attraction that brings people in from all over the world. You can choose a self guided ship walk tour that takes you from the engine to the wheelhouse, or you can have a daily guided tour that explores the elegant bygone era. You can even go on the special tour called The Ghost and Legends tour that talks about the paranormal experiences of the Queen Mary which people swear have taken over the ships at certain times.

Many people come to the Queen Mary to stay in one of the 365 original staterooms, 8 of which are luxurious suites of their time. Each room is artfully appointed in the style of the 1930’s and 1940’s with original artwork and much of the art deco feel that it had in the past. The room rates are very reasonable depending on the season and you can buy packages that include dinner or show tickets. After checking in you can experience award winning dining in many of the waterfront restaurants such as the Sir Winston restaurant or you can just grab a quick bite to eat at The Promenade Café if you are in a rush to get back to your self guided tour of the Queen Mary.

Visiting and staying on the Queen Mary is like taking a step back in time to the more elegant and fascinating bygone years. It is an experience you won’t soon forget.

Located in the heart of Beverly Hills is a wonderful treasure: Roxbury Park. Roxbury Park is the perfect get away for those who would just like to take an afternoon to relax, use the grill, or rest under the shade of the canopy trees, Roxbury Park also provides plenty of activities for children, adults, and seniors. Whether it is taking a new class, learning a new sport, or simply enjoying the beauty of California, Roxbury Park is sure to please.

Athletics

For those seeking an athletic outlet, Roxbury Park offers many top of the line choices. There is a baseball field that also serves as a soccer field, 1 ½ basketball courts, 4 lighted tennis courts that rival those in the finest country clubs, and sand volleyball courts that are sure to provide hours of entertainment. The lush green hills look as if they roll endlessly and are the perfect backdrop for croquet and lawn bowling. If you’ve never played lawn bowling, don’t worry, the park also provides free classes, so all are invited to join in the fun.

Children At The Park

The children will love the large playground that features a pirate theme, and young children will enjoy playing in the designated toddler area. Preschool classes for children, such as Mommy and Me, community based senior activities, and adult classes are abundant. Some of the choices include yoga, creative writings, sculpting and other art related classes, as well as theater. The park also provides lunches for seniors between 11:15am to 12:15pm for $1.75.

Parties & Special Gatherings

Roxbury Park is the perfect place to host family reunions, special gatherings, or birthday parties. You must call ahead and reserve grills and picnic tables before your event. A permit may also be required so make sure to leave plenty of time before your function to get everything in order.

Park Rules

Be sure to read the rules before planning your trip to the park. Some of the rules include: making sure that dogs are kept on a leash no longer than six feet, no alcohol, smoking, or narcotics, children must be supervised; especially around water areas, and there are no bikes, skateboards, skates, or scooters allowed in the park.

Parking

Parking is metered, so be sure to bring plenty of change.

Nestled in the heart of Malibu, in the Santa Monica Mountains, lies a treasure waiting to be explored. The hiking trails in Solstice Canyon are the true star of Hollywood. With breathtaking scenic views of waterfalls, indigenous flora and fauna, a stream that flows year round, and numerous majestic Oaks, Alder, and Sycamore trees, the Solstice Canyon Park is great any time of year.

The canyons are a beautiful way to observe nature in all of her glory. It isn't uncommon to see animals such as deer, bobcats, quail, and mountain lions. There are over 45 mammal species that call the Solstice Canyon home, and over 380 bird species. The streams and lagoons are home to fish that are indigenous to the mountains, and are plentiful year round.

First opened as a public park in 1988, by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, today they are under the management of the National Park Service. With five hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous, Solstice Canyon is revered as one of California's national treasures.

Getting Here

Getting to Solstice Canyon is quite simple. Travel along Pacific Coast Highway until you reach Corral Canyon Road. Turning on Corral Canyon Road, you'll see a large white fence with a gate off to the left side. Once you enter the park you will pay for parking, so inquire about direct routes to the trail you are looking for.

Solstice Canyon has five trails designated for hikers. Three of these trails are deemed easy and are great for the novice hiker or for those who just want to enjoy a leisurely scenic hike.

Dry Canyon Trail

Easy (1.2 miles): This trail is a great hike for the novice hiker. You'll enjoy viewing the 150-foot waterfall at the end of your journey. Be sure to bring plenty of water for your journey, and don't drink the water in streams, as they are not deemed suitable for drinking. When hiking, remember that you must always yield the right of way to horseback riders.

TRW Loop Trail

Easy (1.5 miles): The TRW Trail is a nice gentle hike. While on your journey you will pass through many oak trees. Keep an eye out for woodpeckers, the Peregrine Falcon, and the Red Tailed Hawk. There are also a number of snakes that are indigenous to the region, so it is best to avoid snakes, as the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake is venomous. Fortunately, it is the only venomous snake that lives in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Solstice Canyon Trail

Easy (2.1 miles): When hiking through the Solstice Canyon Trail be sure to keep a watchful eye out for the famed, Keller House. This is an excellent way to view some of Malibu's past history. If hiking with dogs, the dog must remain on a leash at all times, and they are only allowed on trails as well as access roads.

Rising Sun Trail

Moderate (3 miles): It is believed that this trail derives its name from a winery that was founded by Matthew Keller during the later 1800's. You'll enjoy the scenic views of the ocean while hiking along this trail.

Sostomo Trail/ Deer Valley Loop

Moderate/Strenuous (7 miles) This trail is the most strenuous and should be tackled by the seasoned hiker. This trail is beautiful and provides a breathtaking scenic view of the Pacific Ocean.

If you happen to be fascinated by ghosts and find yourself in the South Bay area, here are a couple spots that you may find interesting.

Point Vicente Lighthouse – Palos Verdes

The ghost of a tall woman is at times seen walking around the lighthouse. She is believed to be the former wife of the original Lighthouse keeper, who fell off a cliff.

Drum Barracks – Wilmington

The Drum Barracks is an original civil war outpost. The dominant ghosts in the building are of a man, presumably an officer and a woman called Maria. There are also reported sightings of children, Apaches, and civil war soldiers.

Point Vicente Lighthouse
31550 Palos Verdes Dr W
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Website

Drum Barracks
1052 Banning Blvd
Wilmington, CA 90744
Website